Tina & Vince's is slice of Italy in San Clemente

There is a new sandwich at Tina & Vince's Italian Delicatessen in San Clemente, but it's not on the menu yet, so you just have to know about it, according to Vito Raspatella, son of Tina and Vince Raspatella, who started the deli in 1987.

There are 27 sandwiches on the menu board, but there are others, such as the new one, also known as the Ruth. It's named after a customer who always orders a regular sub with an Irish twist of ham and potatoes.

There's also the Bob, which is unofficially No. 24½, with extra prosciutto. And there's the Mophead, with only vegetables. The deli makes about 700 sandwiches a week.

"We make a lot of sandwiches, so with different customers who always come in with the little changes they ask for ... we just name the sandwich after them so we can remember what it is," said Vito Raspatella, 41.

Tina and Vince (the latter is retired) are originally from Bari, a town of 3,000 people on the coast in the Puglia region of Italy.

The two came on their own from Italy – Tina left for Chicago and Vince for Canada in the early 1960s. They had known each other in Bari, but not much happened in the way of dating. But that changed when they found each other in North America and got married in Chicago in 1967.

Sons Rocco and Vito came along, and eventually the family moved to San Clemente to take over Colombo's deli, which they made their own, with family recipes. Vito says he likes the eggplant the best; Rocco, 44, likes the No. 23 sandwich; Tina likes anything with seafood; Vince likes Tina's ragu, which she makes of whatever is left over in the kitchen; Julianna, Rocco's 22-year-old daughter, likes sandwich No. 24; and Chella Favia, Tina's sister, likes the No. 2 Italian sub.

"Really, my dad's favorite thing is retirement," Vito Raspatella said. "He likes to see friends, watch soccer and be with the family. Now, Tina, she has to be doing something. She'll be working in here until she just can't stand anymore."

Tina Raspatella suffered a tragedy in January when her younger brother, Tony Carbonara, died. When the Raspatellas first came to San Clemente, they started the Carbonara restaurant and passed it to Tony, who made the family establishment into what diners recognize today.

"We came to San Clemente for the first time on a road trip (in the early 1970s) with friends," Tina said. "It's the only place in America that reminded me of our town in Italy. So now we live here."

5 QUESTIONS WITH RASPATELLA FAMILY

Q. What is the best thing about owning your business?

A. (Tina Raspatella) I love being with all people, to see everyone every day. Amo tutte le persone di San Clemente!

(Julianna Raspatella) The best thing is getting to know people. San Clemente is a small town and everybody knows everybody, and it's nice if you go out, because people know who you are. I get to be with my family every day!

Q. What is the most challenging aspect of your business?

A. (Tina Raspatella) You always have to be at the store, all the time, never miss a day. And with all things, make good things – do your best in everything.

(Vito Raspatella) It's just the family in the deli, so the hours can be really long – 13 hour days. But we are all together, so it's worth it.

Q. What advice do you have for anyone starting a business?

A. (Vito Raspatella) Get involved in the community and always be a part of things. People will get to know you and get to know your face.

Q. What trends do you see in your business?

A. (Vito Raspatella) Everything now has to be healthy. I have a gluten-free pizza now. But really, all our food has always been healthy.

Q. Does Tina use nicknames for anyone in the shop?

A. (Tina Raspatella) I say "Capoccione" (Hardhead) for Rocco and Vito, but mostly for Vito, and "Principessa" (Princess) for Julianna my granddaughter.